A double header of World Cups awaits this weekend with events taking place in Chengdu, China, and Brasilia, Brazil.
In the former, the men’s race is shaping up to be a battle between the German and Japanese squads. Although Chengdu has attracted plenty of talent, the German quartet might just be the pick of the bunch. Leading the way will be Tim Hellwig. In his last outing, he won the silver medal at WTCS Pontevedra.
In addition, he impressed on his way to Olympic qualification at the Paris Test Event. Like Chengdu, both races were over the Olympic distance and Hellwig should be a major threat this weekend.
Joining Hellwig for Germany will be a trio of recent World Cup medallists.
Valentin Wernz medalled in Yeongdo while Jonas Schomburg claimed a maiden World Cup medal in Karlovy Vary. Moreover Lasse Nygaard Priester won medals in both Weihai and Valencia.
Priester also logged a very good performance in Pontevedra and his running form over 10km has been on fire lately. Any one of the German team could make the podium. Indeed, on a good day, all four could end up in the top-5.
At the same time, the German men will come up against a super Japanese team.
Takumi Hojo presents the most obvious threat of the Japanese men. He won in Yeongdo in commanding fashion. Strong in all disciplines, he is one of the best swimmers in the field and has all the speed required to be a real handful on the run.
Makoto Odakura also will be racing after winning a medal in Weihai. Priester will likely remember how Odakura ran him down over the 10km to beat him. As much as he will look to avoid any repeat in Chengdu, Odakura will be confident in his running.
The Japanese team can also call upon the power of Kyotaro Yoshikawa on bike and the speed of Aoba Yasumatsu on the run. Across the board, then, it is possible to see Germany and Japan locking out the podium.
Of course, there are numerous other rivals that will contend for medals.
Aram Michell Peñaflor Moysen earned a medal at the World Cup in Huatulco. He has been trying to recapture his summer form. On his day, though, he has the running speed to trouble anyone in the field.
Esteban Basanta Fouz was in line to finish 4th at the World U23 Championships in Pontevedra however a disqualification thwarted his hopes. A well-rounded athlete, Basanta should be able to put himself in a position to record a high finish.
On the note of the World U23 Championships, Hamish Reilly, a 2022 medallist, will also be racing. He will head up a strong British team and could be the likeliest of the group to medal.
Among the British cohort, Ben Dijkstra hasn’t raced since the European Championships in Madrid. Other teammates like Sam Dickinson have also endured absences this year and will look to make an impression. Dijkstra, though, could be one to watch.
He won a silver medal at the European Cup in Caorle in May. Prior to that, he finished 12th at the New Plymouth World Cup and enjoyed a solid series of World Cup displays in the autumn of 2022. He is a superb runner and could find himself in the mix if the field stays together.
Several athletes will do their utmost to ensure the field does not stay together. In that regard, Dylan McCullough could shape the race. If he can use a swim-bike move to make something happen, the entire race may turn on its head.
McCullough will have the likes of Schomburg and Márk Dévay, another recent World Cup medallist, to work with. Sustaining a breakaway over the Olympic distance is never easy, but the athletes are certainly in place to make it happen.
Overall, though, the likes of Hojo, Priester and Hellwig will likely be able to contend with any style of race. With speed in all three disciplines, they will therefore be among the favourites for the win.
TriStats Predictions
- Tim Hellwig
- Makoto Odakura
- Lasse Nygaard Priester
- Takumi Hojo
- Jonas Schomburg
